Breast care nurse

What is a breast care nurse?

A breast care nurse (BCN) is a registered nurse who has specialised experience and knowledge in breast care nursing.

Breast care nurses are members of the multidisciplinary team caring for people with breast cancer. Other members of the team at the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute and its affiliated hospitals include surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, breast physicians, clinical geneticists, pathologists, radiologists, radiation therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dieticians, social workers and other specialised nurses.

Breast care nurses are available to give you and your family information and support before and after surgery and during your ongoing treatment for breast cancer. If you have any questions about your treatment, the plans for your hospital admission or about caring for yourself after surgery or during other treatments, you can call the breast care nurse for advice. 

Role of a breast care nurse

The role of a breast care nurse is to:

• Provide support, education and information to people with breast cancer, their family and those who care for them. 
• Provide high standards of treatment in breast care nursing. 
• Provide coordinated care, including information and referral to other support services and resources available in the hospital and community. 
• Inform people about research and clinical trials. 
• Provide leadership in the area of breast care nursing within the hospital and wider community. 

A breast care nurse is available to

• answer your questions
• explain your treatment
• provide you information on treatment for breast cancer
• explain what happens during your stay in hospital
• visit you during your stay in hospital
• provide emotional support
• organise support for you when you leave hospital if needed
• provide information on breast prostheses and breast reconstruction
• help you look after your wound after your operation
• refer you to other services if needed
• act as a link with all members of the treatment team
• coordinate your care from the time you are diagnosed with breast cancer, through your treatment and follow-up.

Contact details and locations

Breast care nurses are available Monday to Friday, 8am to 4.30pm.

Westmead Hospital

Corner Darcy Road and Hawkesbury Road, Westmead NSW 2145
Phone: (02) 8890 5656, leave a message for the breast care nurse.
Hospital switchboard: (02) 8890 5555
Email: WSLHD-BCINuurses@health.nsw.gov.au

Auburn Hospital

Norval Street, Auburn NSW 2144
Breast Care Nurse: 0428 967 845
Hospital switchboard: (02) 8759 3000

Blacktown Hospital

Blacktown Road, Blacktown NSW 2148
Phone: 0427 851 829
Phone: 0407 589 754

Mount Druitt Hospital

75 Railway Street, Mount Druitt NSW 2770
Phone: 0427 851 829
Phone: 0407 589 754

Nepean Hospital

Derby Street, Kingswood NSW 2747
Phone: 0409 699 105
Phone: 0436 397 684
Phone: 0447 456 822
Hospital switchboard: (02) 4734 3500

If you cannot contact a nurse at your local hospital, call or email the breast care nurse at Westmead Hospital.

Useful contacts and websites